I think my favorite mixes keep in mind the idea of narrative. If they really do it right, they’ll place you in a location and move you through from one place to the next. There’s a cadence to it. There’s a language. There’s a logic. On the other side of it, there is a commitment from the listener. You gotta pay attention. You gotta trust. You gotta listen. And of course, there’s a payoff if everybody gets it right.

I think both Jaytram and The Diamond Age’s mixes stand up under this criterion. [Editor's note: I broke these two mixes into different posts with the new format but you can find Jaytram's mix here.] Delighted to share their selections with you.
Some of you may recall Jaytram made it to Chicago to play at the last Bird & Whale Showcase with the mighty Epstein. Killed it. Had a good time sharing some Chicago with those guys. There’s usually a fair amount of pestering that takes place on my part for people to get a mix together for this site, so it was a pleasant surprise to get an email the other day out of the blue from Jaytram, “sending you a lil mix…”
The Diamond Age continues his catalogue of musical conquest. I’d say this mix is a little more delicate than some of his previous entries. Maybe a little less emphasis on stumping the listener in favor of the jams.

It’s raining like hell in Chicago right now. I walked about two blocks to get breakfast this morning and got real wet. I’ll take it over snow though. Noticed a couple bulbs coming up out of the ground on the way there. Maybe this winter will walk away.
I saw Let the Right One In last night at the Music Box. Not a movie for everyone. A lot of blood, but I thought it was brilliant. 5 stars.

I almost forgot, I’m sitting in for Selina doing video projections at Rodan on Tuesday again. Should be a good time. I think I got some good ideas in the works.

The Diamond Age – The End of the World Mix:

1. Roy Budd – Goodbye Carter!
2. Embryo – Abdul Malek
3. Assim Assado – Rock Blue
4. Aphrodite’s Child – End of the World
5. The Kinks – King Kong
6. Erasmo Carlos – 26 Anos De Vida Normal
7. Bo Diddley – Bo Diddley
8. CAN – Pnoom
9. Sir Victor Uwaifo – Dododo (Ekassa Number 1)
10. Serge Gainsbourg – 69 année érotique
11. Silver Apples – Ruby
12. The United States Of America – Cloud Song
13. Robert Wyatt – TO CARAVAN AND BROTHER JIM
14. Nelson Angelo e Joyce – Comunhão
15. Nirvana – Take This Hand [Original Stereo Mix]
16. S. Brugnolini – Polyphony
17. Kevin Ayers – Girl On A Swing
18. Komeda, Krzysztof – Sarah In Bath
19. Bob Marley – I’m Still Waiting
20. Caravan – Ride
21. The Pretty Things – What’s the Use
22. Lee Perry & The Upsetters – Bad Walking
23. White Noise – The Visitations
24. Paul Giovanni – Willow’s Song
25. Ron Wood – Mystifys Me
26. Tim Buckley – Song to the Siren